The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-02-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The life OF Benton, by Theodore Roose-
welt, is the latest Of the admirable series of
american Statesmen, edited by Mr.. John T.
Morse, Jr OF Post-Revolutionary and ante
bellnm times Thomas Hart Benton was
one Of the most striking and remarkable tig-
ures' Webster, Clay and Calhoun-his CON
tenlporaries-are perhaps better known, es-
peclaily In the East, but he was unmatched
by either of them; while in courage and fidel-
lty to principle he was superior to all three
webster and Clay, especially, are his con-
slant habitual antagonists, and more than
once, IN the Senate chamber, he bore up his
banner against the three combined.
Benton was a great ''all, 'round fighter
Upon questions requiring;the closest atten-
ton to minute and tedious detail, he was at
nome; of the broad and vital questions of
nnance and the tariff, he was a master: and
when the Union was threatened. he terrified
MS enemies by the bold impetuous defiance
OF his speech. A slave holder he was OBJ
posed to the extension of slavery. and
watched with jealous eye the least en-
croachment of that power which bodied mis-
chief to the Union OF his heart.
In the swirl or speculation and imitation
like rock for hard money, that the soubyi-
quet odd Bullion" was bestowed upon him.
More clearly than any other statesman of
his day. he saw the magnificent future of
our country toward the Pacific and the north
west, and, could he have had his way. when
the northeastern and northwestern bounda-
rles were being defined, Names territory
would have stretched to at least fifth four
and forty, and the British would have re-
tanned no foothold on the Pacific coast.
Benton's learning was accurate and pro-
found, Webster having said of him that ha
knew more political facts than any man he
had ever met, even than John Quincy AID
ans, and possessed wonderful fund of gen.
eral knowledge. He had his harmless foibles
OF course, that cause quiet smile of amuse-
ment, but he was great, good man, who
loved and served his country.
We are constrained to day in noticing this
instructive book, that Mr.. Roosevelt ap-
pears not quite to understand the best meth
Cd OF writing biography, 1t is Benton we
want, not Roosevelt; but very considerable
portion OF this book is taken up with the
views, theories and opinions of the author
upon every political subject on which Ban
Ton course comes under discussion. and no. |
infrequently Roosevelt occupies more space
than Benton. Mr.. Roosevelt's political dis
QUESTIONS may be interesting and valuable
the more that he always applies them to the
present situation; but he ought to have nut
them in separate volume, and not com
PEELED us to read them in order to find ont
what Benton said and did. However, the
sale OF the book ought to be increased, for
the great number of Mr.. Roosevelt's admir-
ers, who do not know or care anything about
Benton, can find here complete compendi-
UNI of their friends opinien upon all the
leading questions of the day, except, we be-
lieye, the labor question.
By the way, if we may make suggestion
to so able and conscientious an editor as Mr.,
Morse, would not the pleasure of reading
these biographies be greatly enhanced If we
could see fine engraved portrait of the SUBJ
ject as frontispiece to each? Our attention
Is especially called to this want in the pres
ent case, as we do not remember that the BIZ
)grapher makes the slighteSt.allusio to Ben |